Do you have two left feet or a brown thumb? Not good at math, athletics, or art? Many of us believe one or more of these statements are true reflections of our innate abilities. Psychologist and researcher Dweck (Stanford Univ.), however, argues that attributes such as intelligence, personality, creativity, and talent are all a matter of our mind-sets, or our beliefs about ourselves. She posits that there are two basic mind-sets: fixed and growth. People with the fixed mind-set believe that everything about themselves is innate-e.g., that they are either smart or they're not, talented or not. Those with the growth mind-set, on the other hand, embrace challenges, struggles, criticism, and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than indications of failure. The good news is that mind-set, according to Dweck, can be changed from fixed to growth. This book is an essential read for parents, teachers, coaches, and others who are instrumental in determining a child's mind-set, and in turn, his or her future success, as well as for those who would like to increase their own feelings of success and fulfillment.